Canberra United maintained their positive momentum in the Ninja A-League Women’s with a comprehensive victory over Western Sydney Wanderers in their Round 12 clash at McKellar Park.
Off the back of three without defeat, with a result still pending for the abandoned midweek clash with Sydney FC, they met a Wanderers side without a win in their last five, and sitting at the bottom of the table, and eight points off United.
Head Coach Antoni Jagarinec continued with a mostly unchanged side from that midweek match, headlined by a last-minute withdrawal of talisman Michelle Heyman from the starting lineup.
Heyman’s replacement Maja Markovski almost made an early impact after she met a Sofia Christopherson cross with a spectacular volley that sailed over the crossbar, in a move that capped off a dominant start to the match.
Half an hour into proceedings Christopherson was again influential, showing great aggression to win back the ball and find Stanic-Floody, who’s shot hit an arm on the edge of the area, however her freekick that followed, though well executed, narrowly missed the target.
The visitors were limited to several half chances, the best of which came from youngster Tahlia Younis who’s attempted long-range chip was comfortably claimed by Sally James.
It took until the final moments of the first half for Canberra to capitalise on their dominance, after a well-worked corner routine resulted in a goal for Sofia Christopherson, making it two in her last two matches with a header that snuck in via the post.
As the second half began, the Team in Green looked to get on the scoresheet early with Maja Markovski creating a chance for early first-half substitute Jynaya Dos Santos, although the forward was unable to make contact with the ball as it ran across the goal line.
As the game continued United continued to create chances, Ruby Nathan fired over the bar after good work from Maja Markovski, however the Wanderers went close to grabbing a leveller moments later, as Olivia Price flashed a shot wide of Sally James’ net.
Heading into the final twenty minutes, the visitors went close again, with Sally James amending for her error with a stunning save to deny Talia Kapetanellis, before Talia Younis tested the goalkeeper from long range several minutes later.
Canberra continued to defend well throughout the late exchanges of the match as the Wanderers grew more dangerous, managing the game well to shut down any glimpses from their opponents.
A special moment near the end of the match saw late substitute Ivana Galic make her A-League debut, in what turned out to be a successful day for United, claiming all three points.
Words: Sam Watson
